A Smarter Approach to Open Roll Practice on Snare Drum
Simple exercises to build clean rebounds, flexible hand mechanics, and seamless transitions on snare drum.
An open roll is a cornerstone of great snare drum playing, but getting a clean sound takes more than just playing faster. By focusing on hand mechanics, rebound density, and rhythm control, you can build a roll that sounds full and smooth at any tempo. In this guide, we break down simple exercises from professional orchestral playing to help you refresh your routine.
Table of Contents
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Meet Your Instructor
Black Swamp Artist Josh Jones is the Principal Percussionist of the Grant Park Orchestra and an internationally acclaimed soloist. Known for his expressive artistry, Josh has performed as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall and with major ensembles including the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Kansas City Symphony. Beyond his technical mastery, Josh is a vital voice for equity in the classical music world, working alongside the Black Orchestral Network to improve orchestral tenure processes across the country. His approach to percussion combines high-level orchestral precision with a deep commitment to educational leadership.
Follow Josh Jones Online: DrumMojo.com
Understanding Rebound Density and Hinges
Playing a proper open roll is not just about moving your hands quickly. It is about controlling how the drumstick interacts with the drumhead. Josh Jones breaks this down into two key concepts: physical hinges and rebound density.
First, consider your physical hinges: your wrists and your forearms. Your wrist provides fine control and quick movements, while your forearm provides stability and relaxed weight. If you only use your wrists, your roll can sound thin. If you only use your forearms, your roll can become stiff. Training both hinges separately helps you balance your mechanics.
Second, consider density. Rebound density refers to how many times the stick strikes the head on a single stroke. An open roll often relies on three rebounds per hand. To make three rebounds feel light and controlled, Josh recommends practicing more rebounds than you actually need—such as six rebounds per hand. When you train a higher density first, returning to fewer rebounds feels open and effortless.
Comparing Rebound Exercises
To choose the right exercise for your practice session, review how each approach targets a different part of your technique.
Approach | How to Play | Primary Focus | Practical Benefit |
Over-Density Training | Play 6 rebounds per hand, then move to 3s | Over-training stick bounce | Makes normal rolls feel spacious |
Motion Matching | Play 2s, then switch to 3s without changing hand motion | Physical consistency | Prevents arm tension during transitions |
Rhythm Matching | Play 2s and 3s while keeping the same rhythmic grid | Subdivided time control | Keeps rolls mathematically even |
Reverse Tempo Building | Start fast with 2s-to-3s transitions, then slow down | Overcoming speed limits | Breaks through hand speed walls |
Essential Drills for Open Roll Practice
Here are the core drills Josh uses to keep his hands relaxed and his roll even. Incorporating these into your daily open roll practice will build strong habits.
The Over-Density Drill
Start by playing six rebounds per hand. First, isolate the wrist hinge while keeping your forearms still. Next, perform the same drill using the forearm hinge. Once six rebounds feel relaxed, move down to three rebounds per hand. You will notice that three rebounds feel much easier after conditioning your hands for six.
Motion Matching (Twos to Threes)
Play a double stroke pattern (twos). Without changing the speed or height of your hand motion, shift immediately into triple strokes (threes). The physical movement of your arm should remain identical; only the stick rebound changes.
Rhythm Matching
Keep your rhythmic pulse completely steady. Play a double stroke pattern on the grid, then shift to triple strokes while keeping the underlying beat exactly the same. This trains your brain to maintain an accurate subdivision even as stick density changes.
The Reverse Speed Drill
When your double stroke roll hits a tempo wall where speeding up causes tension, reverse your approach. Start at a fast tempo where motion matching is required, transition between twos and threes, and slowly work down to slower tempos while maintaining relaxed hands.
Student Action Plan
Follow this structured checklist during your practice sessions to build long-term control.
Step 1: Warm Up the Hinges. Spend two minutes playing relaxed single strokes, first isolating the wrists, then isolating the forearms.
Step 2: Run Over-Density Sets. Play 8 bars of sixes per hand using wrist movement, followed by 8 bars using forearm movement.
Step 3: Work on Motion Transitions. Set a metronome and switch between double strokes and triple strokes every four bars, keeping your arm path identical.
Step 4: Check Rhythmic Accuracy. Ensure that switching from double strokes to triple strokes does not alter the underlying tempo.
Step 5: Apply to Repertoire. Play a continuous roll in a musical phrase, paying close attention to clean rebound spacing.
Final Reflection
Building a great roll is an ongoing journey of listening and refining your motion. Rather than rushing to play as fast as possible, focus on how relaxed your hands feel and how clear each rebound sounds.
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